Holidays Observed in Rome

Below is a list of nationally recognized holidays when businesses, schools and banks close, and people have the day off in Rome and throughout the provinces of Lazio. 

Public Holidays in 2012:

Many Italian holidays are shared with the Western world, such as New Year's, Christmas and Easter.  Other holidays, like Epiphany, are solely Italian.  Below you can find a brief description of some of the typical National Italian holidays. 

Epiphany
Epiphany is a Christian holiday celebrating the visit of the Three Wise Men to the baby Jesus.  Just as the Western culture celebrates Santa Claus delivering presents to children during the same time the birth of Jesus is celebrated, Italians celebrate Le Befana during the time of Epiphany.  Le Befana is an old woman, a witch like figure, who flies on a broomstick and leaves presents in children's socks on the eve of Epiphany.  She leaves candy, fruit and other small presents for children who have been good, and a lump of coal (carbone), onions or garlic for children who have behaved badly.

150^th Anniversary of the Unification of Italy
March 17, 2011, marks 150 years since Victor Emmanuel II proclaimed the formation of the Kingdom in Italy.  With this year marking the 150^thanniversary, the government has declared the date a National holiday.  There will be celebrations all throughout Italy.  Rome will begin celebrating on the evening of March 16^th with a Notte Tricolore (white, red and green night…colors of the Italian flag).  During the evening of March 16^th, and on March 17^th, the city will be sponsoring many cultural events, with the majority of them being free to the public.  There will be musical concerts, lights shows, historical lectures and many other events in the city’s piazzas throughout the two days.  Certain museums will also be open until late in the night with admission being free. 

Easter Monday (La Pasquetta)
La Pasquetta, known as little Easter, is usually spent enjoying picnics and time outdoors with family and friends. 

Liberation Day (La Festa della Liberazione)
April 25, 1945, marked the end of the German-Fascist control over Italy during World War II.  Liberation Day is celebrated throughout Italy each year on April 25^th.  The day not only commemorates Italy's liberation, it also serves as a time for Italians to honor and remember their fallen soldiers and civilian victims. 

Labour Day/May Day
May Day is known as the worker's holiday, and workers all throughout the country take the day off.  It is a celebration of the international labour movement.  You can usually find working people and their labour unions participating in street demonstrations and marches.  The day is also used for left political parties to give speeches, hold rallies and promote and protest their various causes.  There are parades and festivals to enjoy throughout the country, but the finale to the celebration is held in Rome every year.  Organized by Italian Labour Unions, a large, free music concert is held in Piazza San Giovanni where many famous singers and musicians perform. 

Assumption of the Virgin/Ferragosto
During this holiday, Italians celebrate customs and beliefs from both the Christian and ancient Roman worlds.  The holiday originated during the Roman Empire times by the Emperor Augustus in 18 BC.  It was originally termed feriae Augusti, and marked the end of the harvest season.  The original holiday lasted for most of August, and was a time for the people to relax after the long, hard harvest season.  The Romans celebrated by eating, drinking and participating in sexual exploitations.  They also honored the gods associated with agriculture, hunting and the change of seasons during this time.  The peak of the festivities were celebrated on the 15^th.  When Christianity was declared the preferred religion of the land, these types of festivities were no longer accepted in the eyes of the Church, so the 15^th of August was masked as a religious holiday celebrating the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.  On this day, Christians celebrate the rise of the Virgin Mary up to Heaven to join Jesus Christ.  In present day, the holiday is still centered around celebrating the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, and also marks the peak of the holiday season for all Italians who believe they must go out of town during the month of August.  Many businesses are closed and most people take their vacations during August.

All Saints' Day (Tutti i Santi or Ognissanti) 
All Saints' Day is celebrated primarily by Catholics.  It is a day for people to remember all Christian saints and martyrs, and also to remember their deceased relatives and loved ones.  Most Catholics attend Mass on this day, and honor the deceased by placing flowers on graves.   

Each region throughout Italy has it's own saints and festivals which are celebrated.  Although the event may not be recognized nationally, businesses in the individual regions may close to take part in the celebrations.  On June 29^th, Rome honors Saint Peter and Saint Paul.

One thing to make note of, if a holiday falls on a Tuesday or a Thursday, it is common to also observe the Monday prior to or Friday following the holiday, in order to make for a long holiday weekend.  For example, if a holiday falls on a Thursday, it is common for Italians to have Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday off in order to enjoy the holiday over a long weekend.